Your St. Mark's Newsletter is Here

The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

October 12, 2021

From the Pastor

St. Mark's will observe All Saints Sunday on November 7, 2021. On that day, we will name and remember those from our church family who have died and transferred their St. Mark's membership to the Church Triumphant.

Remembering those we love is an expression of our love for God and our commitment to further the ministry of the church they loved. If you would like to make a special contribution in memory of any of our recently departed saints, please use the pew envelopes and indicate your gift in memory of the person(s) named.

We invite you to check the list below and let us know if someone in our church family has died since November 1, 2020 and is not listed:

Clement, Maurine

Dillon, Susan

Kajihara, Henry

Morris, Danny

Morris, Rosalie

Noffsinger, Gerald

Peery, Evelyne

Phillips, Helen

Tunnell. Linda

Voorhies, Marge

Ward, Annette

Ward, Eleanor

Wright, Kathryn

It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.

Tommy

Charge Conference

The St. Mark's Charge Conference with District Superintendent Rev. Chip Hunter will be Sunday, November 21, 2021, immediately following the 11 am worship service. The meeting will take place in the banquet hall.

Anyone is invited to attend but the following leadership positions comprise the Charge Conference and are expected to be in attendance: all Church Council members as well as retired ordained clergy and diaconal ministers who elect to hold their membership is said charge conference.

The Charge Conference is the connecting link between the local church and the general Church; at our November meeting we will receive reports and hear about objectives and goals for 2022. We do not anticipate a long meeting.

Lunch will be provided. If you are not a member of the church council and plan to attend the charge conference, please call the church office and make a lunch reservation. Church council members will receive an email with a link to make lunch reservations.

SAGES News

Phyllis Kinder will be having her 90^th birthday on October 18.

The SAGES Ministry Team will meet Wednesday, October 13 at 9:30 in Room 1203.

The SAGES Cookout scheduled for October 15 has been cancelled.

Everyone is invited to St. Mark’s “Soul-Full” Worship experience at 6:30 PM on Thursday in the sanctuary.

Children’s Christian Education

Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. In Celebrate Wonder, we hear and reflect on God’s Word, experience spiritual practices, play games, ask big questions, and help each other claim our spiritual identity as children of God.

This month, we are studying the wonderful story of Moses – how he was found in a basket, how God spoke to Moses, his experience with the Pharaoh, and how he led the Egyptians across the Red Sea. Our theme word is Awe, because we are in awe of all that God can do!

These classes begin at 9:45 a.m.:

• Preschool (Age 2 – Age 5/Pre-K) – Room 305

Leaders: Trish Clardy, Leta Hood, Matt Rogers, Lane Marlatt, Cassie Cochran

• Young Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 1) - Room 212

Leaders: Kathy Edwards, Jan Crossett,

• Older Elementary (Grades 2-5) – Room 214 “Learning to Use my Bible”

Leaders: Dana Harvey, Tracy Read

“Learning to Use my Bible,” helps children become familiar with the Bible and know how to use it for their own spiritual growth and understanding. This special study helps lay a foundation for each child’s future use and knowledge of the scriptures.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THIS UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT:

Sunday, December 5, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC

“A Heart That Grew Three Sizes”

Advent Celebration with the Grinch

for children and their families.

New Adult Bible Study Offered on Fridays

Jesus instructs disciples to hate members of their own families (Luke 14:26), to act as if they were slaves (Matthew 20:27), and to sell their belongings and give to the poor (Luke 18:22). He restricts his mission (Matthew 10:6); he speaks of damnation (Matthew 8:12); he calls Jews the devil’s children (John 8:44). These are very difficult teachings for us to understand!

Join in the discussion as we discover how these difficult words from Jesus would have sounded to the people who first heard them, how they have been understood over time, and how we might interpret them in the context of the Gospel of love and reconciliation, all presented by the engaging Amy-Jill Levine.

Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., Room 506,

beginning this Friday, October 15^th

Books available for $13.00. Led by Claudia Hunter & Dr. Jim Clardy

St. Mark’s UMC

CHURCH FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 30, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

St. Mark’s Playground Circle and Back Yard

Join the fun and fellowship!

Food Trucks – Sweet Tea’s BBQ and Kona Ice

Live Music, Hayrides, Games, Treats,

S’mores at the Campfire, and more!

Bring your Own Lawn Chairs or Blanket

Bring a Friend! Everyone Welcome!

Remember Your Loved Ones

at St. Mark’s Outdoor Worship Center

All Saints Day, observed on the first Sunday of November, offers an opportunity for Christians to remember those believers who have passed on to glory. This year, in addition to our traditional Sunday morning remembrance of those saints who were members of St. Mark’s, you are invited to come and remember your loved one at a special display located at the outdoor worship space across from the Furniture and Scout building.

The display will include draped crosses with the names and photos of all church members who passed since All Saints Day 2020. You are also welcome to tie a ribbon on the large cross in memory of any additional loved ones you are remembering this weekend. Ribbons will be provided or you are welcome to bring your own. Individuals and families are invited to stop by for a time of prayer and remembrance at their convenience Saturday, November 6 or Sunday, November 7.

Our thanks to Mike Warren and Claudia Hunter for creating this display.

Wednesday Night Together is returning for the month of November! You and your family are invited to gather in for a FREE meal (reservations required, donations welcome!) followed by a family-friendly service project, all of which will happen in the Gym. We will also offer a Thanksgiving meal and worship experience. Meals will be served at 5:00 p.m. and service will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the following schedule:

Wednesday, November 3 – Bean Packing Event! Come and pack beans into family-sized servings for distribution at Red Bird Mission.

Menu: Merry Me Chicken with pasta, Garlic Bread, salad bar and raspberry cake.

Wednesday, November 10 - Service Project TBA

Menu: Fish/Chicken Tenders and Chips with salad bar and Bread Pudding

Wednesday, November 17 – Packing Thanksgiving Food Boxes. We will collect food the entire month of November and pack in preparation for a drive-thru give-away Saturday, November 20^th .

Menu: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with potato salad, cole slaw, and chocolate chip cookies

Tuesday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Meal and Worship by Soul-Full

A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FUNDRAISER

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6^TH, 11:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

Held on the Historic Murfreesboro Town Square

Featuring “all you can eat” soup and chili from some of the Boro’s best cooks!

Be sure and stop by St. Mark’s booth for a bowl of

Butler Touchton’s award-winning chili!

*Tickets: $20 – includes admission, a bowl to take home,

Purchase tickets prior to event and get in at 10:30 a.m.!

Tickets NOW available at the Habitat ReStore!

For more Information, or to buy tickets via Eventbrite, click here.

Provide a Meal for Out-of-State Habitat Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity is seeking groups who will provide lunch for 15-17 volunteers working on a rehab projects the week of November 1 – 5. The Cornerstone, Pathfinders and Mixed Blessings classes will provide meals on November 1st, 2nd and 4th, respectively. Friday, November 5th is still available.

Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity developed a partnership with HISS United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD almost 15 years ago. They have been traveling here every year since to volunteer with in Murfreesboro! If your class or group is willing to provide lunch from them one of these remaining days, please let me know as soon as you can.

Youth News

I hope everyone had a wonderful fall break!

Sunday, we started our Worship series. We talked about what worship is, and what are some different ways to connect with God. Over the next, 2 weeks we will be experiencing different types of worship as we explore different ways that we can connect with God and others in our faith community. Here are some pictures from last nights "Art as Worship" night! Don’t forget to sign up for our Fall Retreat, November 5-7! If you have any questions please email or call

Sean.

This Week

Sunday School (10/17)
We will all start in the youth room for announcements!
9:45-10:45 a.m.
9-12th grade will be in the youth room!
6-8th grade will begin their Confirmation Journey in the banquet hall!
Sunday Night Youth (10/17)
BRING A FRIEND!
We are starting our worship series!
See you at 5 p.m. for Fun, Small Groups, and Worship!

Next Week

Sunday School (10/24)
6-8th grade will begin their Confirmation Journey in the banquet hall!
9-12th grade will be in the youth room!
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Sunday Night Youth (10/24)
See you at 5 p.m. for Fun, Small Groups, and Worship!
BRING A FRIEND!

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 1203

1:00 p.m. Book Club - RM 506

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, October 14, 2021

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - Banquet Room

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

6:30 p.m. Beta Sigma Phi Meeting - RM 402/404

Friday, October 15, 2021

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, October 16, 2021

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

12:00 p.m. Wright Visitation - Sanctuary

2:00 p.m. Wright Funeral - Sanctuary

Sunday, October 17, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

4:15 p.m. SONlight - Music Wing Hallway

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

Monday, October 18, 2021

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

10:30 a.m. Minerva Harrell Class - RM 506

6:30 p.m. Scouts - RM 506

6:30 p.m. SPRC Meeting - RM 503/505

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, October 21, 2021

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - Banquet Room

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, October 22, 2021

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, October 23, 2021

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

Sunday, October 24, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

4:15 p.m. SONlight - Music Wing Hallway

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

Monday, October 25, 2021

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - Rec Center

In Other News:

Note of Thanks - Thank you everyone in the St. Mark’s UMC family who generously gave to us during this wonderful celebratory time of the birth of our precious Levi James. In Christ, J.P., Elyse and Levi Clardy.

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar

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St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 | stmarks@stmarkstn.org